The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-09-30

dred tents had been furnished by the
government and erected on the ground
for both the G. A. r. and the regular
troops. At the first opening of camp a
half dozen saloons were ready for opera.
tons; but, much to their chagrin, the
enterprising proprietors with their as
sistants were arrested for illegal selling,
and the veterans threatened destruction
to the shanties if they were opened
again for business. They had come
there for other purposes than guzzling
lager beer.
Ex-Gov, Fairchild. of Wisconsin, ad.
dressed large crowd at camp, and was
listened to with profound interest, and
on the following day ex-senator Van
Wyck, of Nebraska, who failed of re-
election by the scheming of jealous poll
ticians, aided by the railroad monopo.
lists, addressed crowd as large as
could get within hearing distance. He
is still popular with the people, who
will evidently have further use for him
He is near relative of your honored
toWnsman, Hon. A Van Wyck.
One day was devoted to a grand
parade and march through the city
making grand display. In addition te
the G. A. r. there were in line ter
companies of regulars and the battery
of artillery, accompanied by a dozer
bands in uniform. These discourseG
exquisite music, but the fife and drum
quickened the pulse of the veterans and
meant business. The march was a Ions
one, and it was evident that many ar
aching spine felt the need of bracing ut
before it terminated.
The old veterans show unmitakable
evidence of increasing years; wrinkle,
and gray hairs are common, and theil
step less firm than quarter of a century
ago. A sentiment was expressed thai
were similar war again to break out
involving the life of the nation, thou
sands would try hard to crowd in, not
withstanding gray hairs.
Headquarters were assigned to thu
different states, and a register kept. Wis
consin veterans registered 1853 names
all the infantry regiments being repre-
sented, except the 26th. but your humbl,
correspondent enjoyed the proud dis
tinction of being the sole Representative,
of the Bloody Thirty-ninth !"
1t was announced through the pres
that sham battle would be fought on
certain day by the regulars, and ever,
one was on the gus vive to witness il
The battle was commenced by bod,
of the enemy's skirmishers suddenly
emerging from a clump of bushes OF
the double quick, and, instantly formin,
a skirmish line, opened fire on de
tachment of infantry supporting tn
battery, with the evident intention of it
capture, while the main body was q
bivouac short distance away. Thei
fire was promptly returned by our owl
skirmishers, who were thrown forwar.
to meet them, and forced them to re
treat to the main body, a half mile dis
tant, occupying a small grove. The,
then advanced to the attack in four sole
columns. Reaching open ground the,
deployed into line of battle, making
formidable display. The Federal drum
beat the long roll, and instantly the blu
coats were in line and on the doubl,
quick to support the skirmishers wh'
had again been thrown forward, and t,
meet the challenge of the enemy. TIL
firing now became general on both sides
The artillery was pushed forward on
full gallop and opened a furious can
nonade. AT this point the field assumed
warli Ike scene, such as had been wit
messed by many an old veteran in year
before. The combatants marched ant
counter-marehed, and continued tn,
fusilade till the field became envelopet
in dense cloud of smoke. One featur,
only was wanting to complete the realit,
mo ambulances were seen conveyin,
away the wounded and dying. Ole
veterans became excited like an old war
horse, ladies waved their 'kerchiefs
men shouted and the battle ended il
smoke, after having expended 20,0O(
rounds of blank cartridges furnished by
the government quarrermaster for thu
occasion. The affair was rightly named
sham. No result was attained; no cap
ture made f; no victory won no defea
sustained. When the ammunition fai
ed the belligerent parties fraternized
and marched off the ground to caml
to the tune, "When Johnnie CONES
marching home" The crowd which
witnessed this speck Of war was variously
estimated at 10000 to 10000.
AS all things must pass away, so passed
away the holiday week, and the citizens
at once settled into their usual routine
The weather was propitious all the
week.
Omaha, Sept, 1887.